But things are set to take a turn for the worst over the next few weeks as the desperate family will be forced to come to terms with the sudden passing of their close relative.

Although it's thought Sylvie (Linda Marlowe) will lose her life after her dementia, which has been getting progressive worse over the past few months, takes an even bigger hold over her, it's been teased that her death will likely "surprise" viewers.

One show insider told the Daily Mirror newspaper: "Sylvie has had a long battle with dementia but the way she dies may come as a surprise."

Linda joined the long-running soap in 2014, although fans had heard about her long before that as her alter ego was mentioned numerous times by the Carter characters.

Sylvie's funeral will also come at the perfect time as it's thought it will lead the way for Mick to return after Danny took a last-minute break from the programme last month.

A source said: "It's going to look very odd for Mick not to attend the funeral, but the writers are having to come up with some excuse as to why he cannot be there. We all know Danny comes first so the writers are working around the clock to tweak key stories."